Big Turnout for Metro State/AAAE Golf Tournament

Golfers from Colorado’s major airports and airport businesses lined up bright and early for the shotgun start.

By Sean Settle

On April 21, more than 130 golfers teed off at Wellshire Golf Course for the 1st Annual Metropolitan State College of Denver/American Association of Airport Executive Golf Tournament.

“It’s amazing to think that the youngest and smallest of the student organizations has managed to exceed most of the programs put on by other student groups in their entire histories,” said Jeff Price, MSCD associate professor and AAAE faculty advisor. “I was proud of how the students worked so hard to put this thing together. This is the only AAAE chapter in the country to pull off such a huge fundraiser. They organized the tournament and made it fun. They were also able to incorporate some networking.”

“A lot of people worked really hard to make this tournament happen, and our sponsors were a big part of why the thing came together so well,” said Andrew Johnson, MSCD student and AAAE chapter president.

Invited golfers and guests included managers and personnel from Colorado’s major airports and aviation businesses. Cash donations and Mulligan purchases helped raise money for MSCD students attending the annual AAAE conference in Washington, D.C. in June.

L to R: Metro State College of Denver students David Faith, Mike Allen, Rich Zarco and Mike Trioette pause before a long par 4 on the back nine.

“Throughout the day, everyone had nothing but great things to say,” said Brian Conway, MSCE student and tournament organizer. “The sponsors that made cash donations helped make this tournament great. Everybody worked really hard to make this event come together, and we look forward to bringing in even more sponsors next year.”

Price was impressed with the amount the tournament raised for the AAAE chapter.

“Most student groups do bake sales and plane washes,” he said. “These kids took on a

professional project and, frankly, it was better organized than some of the industry conference tournaments I’ve attended. And it had better prizes.”

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